Viola cornuta plant named SUNVIOHO

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is new  Viola cornuta  plant named ‘SUNVIOHO’, which is the first vegetative propagated variety that was developed by specific hybridization between ‘9V-39a’ and ‘Alpine Sun’. ‘Sunvioho’ has a spreading habit with very long stem. The plant height is low and the branching is abundant. Flowers are vertically oblong and very small. The color of flower is pale yellow green with vivid yellow eye. The plant has a high resistance to rain, cold, pests and diseases.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

Viola cornuta/Viola Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

cv. ‘Sunvioho’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The genus Viola is included in the family Violaceae and has about 500species of annuals, biennials, evergreen, and semi-evergreen anddeciduous perennials found in varied habitats in temperate regionsworldwide.

Each flower has 5 petals: a spurred lower petal, 2 lateral petals and 2upward-facing upper petals.

While many cultivars within the genus are informally referred to asgarden pansies, violas are all derived from the complex hybridization ofV. tricolour, V. lutea, V. cornuta, and other species.

Viola cornuta has played an important role in the development of gardenviolas and violettas as a result of cross breeding with the garden pansyV. wittrocklana.

Viola cornuta is stem prostrate, with leaves narrow to broad ovate, basecordate to truncate, and margin shallow-crenate.

The female parent used in the crossing of ‘SUNVIOHO’ was ‘9V-39a’ whichis our breeding line and grown at Omori-cho, Yokalchi-shi, Shiga-ken,Japan

The pollen parent used in the crossing of ‘SUNVIOHO’ was ‘Alpine Sun’,whose seeds were bought from Daiuchi Seed Co., Ltd. (Japan).

BREEDING PROCESS

Crossing between ‘9V-39a’ as female parent and ‘Alpine Sun’ as maleparent was conducted at Omori-cho, Yokaichi-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan inApril 2000. In May, seeds were obtained from the crossing and were sownand grown at the same location. In August three seedlings were selectedin view of having highly spreading habit with white petals from 20seedlings obtained, and propagated by cutting. Those three seedlingswere tested by flower potting and bedding from October 2001, atOmori-cho, Yokaichi-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan. Finally one variety wasselected in view of having a long blooming time. The botanicalcharacteristics of that plant were then examined, using similar variety‘Violetto Nive’ and ‘Alpine Summer’ for comparison. As a result, it wasconcluded that this Viola cornuta plant is distinguishable from anyother variety, whose existence is known to us, and uniform and stable inits characteristics. The new variety of Viola cornuta plant was named‘SUNVIOHO’.

Viola cornuta plants, ‘Alpine Sun’ and ‘9V-39a’, are presentlymaintained at Omori-cho, Yokaichi-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan.

This new and distinct variety of Viola cornuta plant, ‘SUNVIOHO’, wasasexually reproduced by tissue culture at the aforementioned theOmori-cho, Yokaichi-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan and the homogeneity andstability thereof were confirmed.

DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the color-coding is in accordance with theHorticultural Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,England (R.H.S. Colour Chart).

The botanical characteristics of the female parent plant ‘9V-39a’ usedin the crossing of ‘SUNVIOHO’ are as follows.

-   Plant:    -   -   Stemmed or non-stemmed.—Stemmed.        -   Growth habit.—Spreading.        -   Height.—Approximately 9 cm.        -   Plant cover.—Approximately 49 cm.-   Stem:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 36 cm.        -   Branching.—Much.        -   Pubescence.—Present.-   Leaf:    -   -   Overall form.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Apex form.—Acute.        -   Base form.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Slightly lobed.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.9 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Color of upper surface.—Grayish olive green (Near R.H.S.            137A).        -   Color of under surface.—Moderate yellow green (Near R.H.S.            137C).        -   Variegation.—Absent.        -   Leaf luster.—Lustrous.        -   Vein.—Distinct.        -   Petiole length.—Approximately 1.4 cm.        -   Stipule length.—Approximately 1.8 cm.-   Flower:    -   -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 7.5 cm.        -   Peduncle thickness.—Thin.        -   Peduncle color.—Strong yellow green (Near R.H.S. 144B).        -   Flower form.—Vertically oblong.        -   Flowering direction.—Upward.        -   Longitudinal diameter.—Approximately 3.2 cm.        -   Horizontal diameter.—Approximately 3.0 cm.        -   Ruffle of petal margin.—Weakly ruffled.        -   Petal curving.—Very weak.        -   Petal number.—Single.-   Upper petal:    -   -   Form.—Round.        -   Size.—Approximately 1.6×1.6 cm.        -   Petal color.—Single-colored.        -   Ground color.—Pale yellow green (Near R.H.S. 157A).        -   Blotch.—Absent.-   Side petal:    -   -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Size.—Approximately 1.3×1.5 cm.        -   Petal color.—Single-colored.        -   Ground color.—Pale yellow green (Near R.H.S. 157A).        -   Blotch.—Absent.-   Lower petal:    -   -   Form.—Cordate.        -   Size.—Approximately 1.9×1.9 cm.        -   Petal color.—Single-colored.        -   Ground color.—Pale yellow green (Near R.H.S. 157A).        -   Blotch.—Absent.        -   Eye color.—Vivid reddish yellow (Near R.H.S. 14A).        -   Eye size.—Medium.        -   Thickness of petal.—Medium.        -   Spur length.—Longer than the sepal appendage.        -   Sepal.—Short.        -   Number of flowers.—Many.-   Seed:    -   -   Color.—Deep brown.-   Physical property:    -   -   Flowering time.—Late.        -   Fragrance.—Faint.-   Resistance:    -   -   Rain.—Strong.        -   Cold.—Strong.        -   Heat.—Medium.        -   Disease.—Strong.        -   Pest.—Strong.

The botanical characteristics of the male parent plant ‘Alpine Sun’ usedin the crossing of ‘SUNVIOHO’ are as follows.

-   Plant:    -   -   Stemmed or non-stemmed.—Stemmed.        -   Growth habit.—Spreading.        -   Height.—Approximately 8 cm.        -   Plant cover.—Approximately 35 cm.-   Stem:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 25 cm.        -   Branching.—Much.        -   Pubescence.—Present.-   Leaf:    -   -   Overall form.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Apex form.—Obtuse.        -   Base form.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Serrated or slightly lobed.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.1 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.        -   Color of upper surface.—Grayish olive green (Near R.H.S.            137A).        -   Color of under surface.—Moderate yellow green (Near R.H.S.            137C).        -   Variegation.—Absent.        -   Leaf luster.—Matte.        -   Vein.—Apparent.        -   Petiole length.—Approximately 2.2 cm.        -   Stipule length.—Approximately 2.1 cm.-   Flower:    -   -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 8.0 cm.        -   Peduncle thickness.—Thin.        -   Peduncle color.—Strong yellow green (Near R.H.S. 144B).        -   Flower form.—Vertically oblong.        -   Flowering direction.—Upward.        -   Longitudinal diameter.—Approximately 3.3 cm.        -   Horizontal diameter.—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Ruffle of petal margin.—Flat.        -   Petal curving.—Weak.        -   Petal number.—Single.-   Upper petal:    -   -   Form.—Round.        -   Size.—Approximately 1.1×1.0 cm.        -   Petal color.—Single-colored.        -   Ground color.—Vivid yellow (Near R.H.S. 9B).        -   Blotch.—Absent.-   Side petal:    -   -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Size.—Approximately 1.2×1.0 cm.        -   Petal color.—Single-colored.        -   Ground color.—Vivid yellow (Near R.H.S. 9B).        -   Blotch.—Absent.-   Lower petal:    -   -   Form.—Cordate.        -   Size.—Approximately 1.4×1.3 cm.        -   Petal color.—Single-colored.        -   Ground color.—Vivid yellow (Near R.H.S. 9A).        -   Blotch.—Absent.        -   Eye color.—Vivid yellow (Near R.H.S. 13A).        -   Eye size.—Small.        -   Thickness of petal.—Thin.        -   Spur length.—Longer than the sepal appendage.        -   Sepal.—Short.        -   Number of flowers.—Many.-   Seed:    -   -   Color.—Deep brown.-   Physical property:    -   -   Flowering time.—Late.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.-   Resistance:    -   -   Rain.—Medium.        -   Cold.—Strong.        -   Heat.—Medium.        -   Disease.—Strong.        -   Pest.—Strong.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety of viola plant named ‘SUNVIOHO’, which is the firstvegetative propagated variety, has a spreading plant habit with verylong epigeal stem. The plant height is low and the branching isabundant. The flowers of the new variety are oblong and very small, andthe color of flower is pale yellow green with vivid yellow eye. The newvariety has a high resistance to cold, pests and diseases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a photograph giving a partial view of the new variety of Violacornuta plant ‘SUNVIOHO’ planted in pots.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of flowers of the new variety of Viola cornutaplant ‘SUNVIOHO’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical characteristics of this new and distinct variety of Violacornuta plant named ‘SUNVIOHO’ are as follows.

-   Plant:    -   -   Stemmed or non-stemmed.—Stemmed.        -   Growth habit.—Spreading.        -   Height.—Approximately 10 cm.        -   Plant cover.—Approximately 90 cm.-   Stem:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 50 cm.        -   Branching.—Very abundant branching.        -   Pubescence.—Present.-   Leaf:    -   -   Overall form.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Apex form.—Obtuse.        -   Base form.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Slightly lobed.        -   Length.—Approximately 4.0 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 2.0 cm.        -   Color of upper surface.—Grayish olive green (Near R.H.S.            137A).        -   Color of under surface.—Moderate yellow green (Near R.H.S.            137C).        -   Variegation.—Absent.        -   Leaf luster.—Matte.        -   Vein.—Apparent.        -   Petiole length.—Approximately 4.0 cm.        -   Stipule length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.-   Flower:    -   -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 12 cm.        -   Peduncle thickness.—Thin.        -   Peduncle color.—Strong yellow green (Near R.H.S. 144A).        -   Flower form.—Vertically oblong.        -   Flowering direction.—Upward.        -   Longitudinal diameter.—Approximately 3.5 cm.        -   Horizontal diameter.—Approximately 2.8 cm.        -   Ruffle of petal margin.—Weakly ruffled.        -   Petal curving.—Weak.        -   Number of petals per flower.—Five (two upper petals, two            side petals and one lower petal).        -   Time of flowering.—Early November to June in Japan. except            for Hokkaido.        -   Lastingness of the individual bloom.—Approximately 57 days.-   Upper petal:    -   -   Form.—Round.        -   Size.—Approximately 1.7×1.7 cm.        -   Petal color.—Single-colored.        -   Ground color.—Pale yellow green (Near R.H.S. 157A).        -   Blotch.—Absent.-   Side petal:    -   -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Size.—Approximately 1.5×1.3 cm.        -   Petal color.—Single-colored.        -   Ground color.—Pale yellow green (Near R.H.S. 157A).        -   Blotch.—Absent.-   Lower petal:    -   -   Form.—Cordate.        -   Size.—Approximately 1.5×1.8 cm.        -   Petal color.—Single-colored.        -   Ground color.—Pale yellow green (Near R.H.S. 157A).        -   Blotch.—Absent.        -   Eye color.—Vivid yellow (Near R.H.S. 13A).        -   Eye size.—Small.        -   Thickness of petal.—Thin.        -   Spur length.—Longer than the sepal appendage.        -   Sepal.—Short.        -   Number of flowers.—Many.-   Seed:    -   -   Color.—Deep brown.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamen.—Five stamens joined around the ovary. Two lower            stamens spurred.        -   Stamen length.—Approximately 2.0 mm.        -   Anther color.—Near R.H.S. 9D (Yellow Group). Tip: near            R.H.S. 166B (Greyed-orange group).        -   Pollen color.—Near R.H.S. 9D (Yellow group).        -   Pistil length.—Approximately 4.5 mm.        -   Stigma shape.—Ellipsoidal.        -   Stigma length.—Approximately 1.0 mm.        -   Stigma color.—Near R.H.S. 144B (Yellow-green group).        -   Style length.—Approximately 1.0 mm.        -   Style color.—Near R.H.S. 144D (Yellow-green group).        -   Ovary color.—Near R.H.S. 144C (Yellow-green group).-   Physical property:    -   -   Flowering time.—Early.        -   Fragrance.—Faint or weak.-   Resistance:    -   -   Rain.—Strong.

This variety as survived temperatures of at least −7° C. The plant growswell at temperatures up to 25° C.

-   -   -   Disease.—Strong.        -   Pest.—Strong.

This new variety of Viola cornuta plant ‘SUNVIOHO’ is most suitable forflower bedding and potting, hanging basket and ground cover.

COMPARISON WITH SIMILAR VARIETY

The new variety of Viola cornuta plant ‘SUNVIOHO’ is different from asimilar variety, ‘Violetto Nive’ in following points,

1. The plant width of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is wider than that of ‘Violetto Nive’.

2. ‘SUNVIOHO’ has narrow elliptic leaf while ‘Violetto Nive’ haslanceolate one.

3. The leaf color of upper surface of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is near R.H.S.137Awhile that of ‘Vioetto Nive’ is near R.H.S.137B.

4. The longitudinal diameter of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is smaller than that of‘Violetto Nive’.

5. The side petal form of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is ovate while that of ‘ViolettoNive’ is round.

6. The flowering time of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is early while that of ‘ViolettoNive’ is intermediate.

The new variety of Viola cornuta plant ‘SUNVIOHO’ is different from asimilar variety, ‘Alpine Summer’ in following points,

1. The plant width of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is wider than that of ‘Alpine Summer’.

2. ‘SUNVIOHO’ has narrow elliptic leaf while ‘Alpine Summer’ haslanceolate one.

3. The flowering direction of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is upward while that of ‘AlpineSummer’ is horizontal.

4. The ruffle of petal margin of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is weakly ruffled while thatof ‘Alpine Summer’ is flat.

5. ‘SUNVIOHO’ has single-colored flower while ‘Alpine Summer’ hasmulti-colored one.

6. The color of the upper petal of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is near R.H.S. 157A whilethat of ‘Alpine Summer’ is near R.H.S. 86B.

7. The color of the side petal of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is near R.H.S. 157A whilethat of ‘Alpine Summer’ is near R.H.S. 9B with near R.H.S 85B margin andnear R.H.S. 79A vein.

8. The color of lower petal of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is R.H.S. near 157A while thatof ‘Alpine Summer’ is R.H.S. near 9B with near R.H.S. 79A vein.

9. The flowering time of ‘SUNVIOHO’ is early while that of ‘AlpineSummer’ is intermediate.

1. A new and distinct variety of Viola cornuta plant named ‘SUNVIOHO’,substantially as herein illustrated and described.